CNC Plasma System Build Project

PROJECT BY

Presented By:Brian Wensel

# Votes:0

ABOUT THIS PROJECT

Tell us briefly about your project. Is it a work of art or does it serve another
function?

This project is both a work of art and a serious tool for creation, built with lots of blood sweat and tears. This CNC Plasma build is a culmination of many components to form a complete system/machine. Many of the components were custom built and designed as the project grew. This build created a great machine for us to use to build other things as well as a guide for thousands of others around the world.

When did you start working on this project and how long did it take you to complete?

We started working on this project in the summer of 2012. It took us about 6 months to complete the build but like many things it was a work in progress. We are at the 2 year anniversary of the project and are planning more updates and additions.

What was your goal in building this project?

The goal of this project was to build a high end quality cnc plasma cutting machine but, do it on a budget. We also wanted to provide a guide for others who followed up to help them through the process. When we started we found there was really no guide for this type of project and you had to hunt for information. We wanted to bring all of that info together in one spot and provide lots of pictures and detail to help others.

Does your project help to solve a problem? If so what problem?

This project solved many problems. It allowed us to create and fabricate in ways that were never possible before. We were able to make high precision parts and also create art and custom pieces which would have not been possible with out CNC. With the documentation of the project it also solved problems and became a guide for thousands of other people. We have received hundreds of emails from around the world thanking us for the project and comments on how its helped others with their projects.

What makes your idea unique?

Our idea is unique because of all of the custom components we designed and built into the project. We found budget friendly ways to fabricate custom components that until this build had not been seen or though of before. Our custom computer control center and our water barrel sump system and splash guards are some of the examples of things that are unique to this project and no other.

In what capacity are you using bearings and what type of bearings?

This project is full of bearings. We have mostly double row type bearings on this project we have them on the gantry providing the guide rollers for the x and y axis. We also use them in the z axis for guides and supports. This project would not be possible without lots of bearings.

What is the most important thing you want people to know about your project?

We want people to know that just because you are not some big company does not mean that you can not have a big company quality machine but on a hobbyist budget.

How will you use the $5,000 prize?

If we are lucky enough to win the price we will reinvest the money into our cnc plasma system and work on expanding the project and creating more website guides and videos to help others create their projects.